The deal with the council and Turner Construction will recharge a local industry that was hit hard during the recession.

“Three weeks ago I had twins so these jobs are huge for my family,” said Ronnie Allen, an electricians union member.

The agreement comes a year before demolition is set to begin at the Downtown Plaza, but it was expected, since hiring union workers to build the arena was a mandate the Sacramento City Council agreed on well before Vivek Ranadive bought the team.

“We want to make sure that those who are disadvantaged—who don’t normally get to participate. we have those people in mind,” Johnson said.

And for Musaqoi Young-Siglowide, who served in Iraq, she’s grateful her fellow soldiers will also have a chance to play a role in transforming downtown Sacramento while getting a decent paycheck.

“It recognizes that veterans have earned their way into America’s middle class.”

The agreement also reduces the threat of lawsuits against the project.